Principal Practitioner Psychologist

Pennine Care; Ashton; On-site; GBP 67,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in Tameside General Hospital, Ashton, is advertising a permanent 1.00 WTE Principal Practitioner Psychologist (Band 8b) to join the adult acute inpatient pathway. The role offers flexible working and part-time/job-share options, with a delineated clinical caseload and supervision under a Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

The post emphasises trauma-informed care, leadership within an MDT, and delivery of high-quality psychology input across inpatient services.

Qualifications

• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical/counselling/forensic psychology accredited by the BPS.
• Current HCPC registration as Clinical/Forensic or Counselling psychologist.
• Further post-qualification training in psychological therapies (e.g., DBT, CBT, CAT, CFT, MBT).
• Experience in supervision and clinical governance within psychology services.

Responsibilities

• Provide clinical leadership and direction in a high quality psychology service for adult acute inpatient care.
• Support transformation of acute inpatient care in line with national direction.
• Hold a clinical caseload with evidence-based assessment, formulation and intervention (individual/group).
• Provide specialist psychology support, consultation and guidance to other professionals.
• Contribute to audit, policy development and research within the service.

Skills

Clinical leadership

Supervision

MDT working

Communication skills

Education

Post-graduate doctoral training in clinical/counselling/forensic psychology

HCPC registration as Clinical/Forensic/Counselling psychologist

Post-qualification training in therapies (DBT/CBT/CAT/CFT/MBT)

Post-qualification training in supervision

Job description

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Main area Adult Acute Care Pathway Grade NHS AfC: Band 8b Contract Permanent Hours

• Full time
• Part time
• Job share
• Flexible working

37.5 hours per week (1 Full Time 37.5 or 2 Part Time) Job ref 311-T699-26

Site Tameside General Hospital Town Ashton-Under-Lyne Salary £66,582 - £77,368 per annum, pro rata Salary period Yearly Closing 11/10/2026 23:59

If you are Kind, Fair, Ingenious and Determined then we want you to come and join us#PennineCarePeople

We are excited to advertise a permanent 1.00 WTE Principal Practitioner Psychologist post (Clinical, Counselling, Forensic, grade 8b) to work in Tameside and Glossop's adult acute inpatient service. We are committed to flexible working and welcome applications from candidates wishing to job share or work part time. Job-share arrangements, such as 0.5 WTE x 2, will be actively considered.

The two adult acute wards, Saxon and Taylor, are based at Tameside General Hospital and provide specialist assessment, care and treatment for men and women aged 18 to 65 years old with a variety of mental health needs. People will often be admitted via A&E, Liaison, Home Treatment Team, a Mental Health Act Assessment within the community or from an outpatient clinic and are often experiencing distress, a mental health deterioration and/or may be in crisis.

Saxon and Taylor are friendly, dynamic ward teams who are keen for a full MDT to help them provide the best possible care they can. We are looking for a skilled and compassionate Practitioner Psychologist to join us and provide high-quality psychology input within our acute inpatient services. The post holder will be part of an acute pathway psychology team with a network of colleagues around them and will supported and supervised by a Consultant Clinical Psychologist.

Main duties of the job

As outlined in the job description, the main duties include:

• To provide clinical leadership and direction in the continual development and provision of a high quality specialist psychology service within the adult acute inpatient service, embedding trauma informed care
• To support with the transformation of acute inpatient care, in line with national direction
• To hold a clinical caseload undertaking evidence-based psychological assessment, formulation, and intervention (individual and/or group). This may include a range of mental health difficulties at the point of crisis including experiences of psychosis, depression and/or Complex Emotional and Relational Needs (CERN)
• To provide specialist psychological support, consultation and guidance to other professionals contributing directly to the assessment, formulation and intervention plan
• To ensure the team have access to a psychologically-based framework for understanding and caring for the service user, through the provision of advice, consultation and the dissemination of psychological research and theory
• To undertake risk assessment and risk management and to provide general advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and management
• To support inpatient colleagues through the provision of supervision, reflective practice and post-incident reflective spaces
• To contribute to audit, policy/service development and research. To propose and implement policy changes within the areas served

Working for our organisation

Our acute and crisis pathway provides an evidence-based, high quality service across adult acute wards, Home Treatment Teams and Mental Health Liaison teams covering half of Greater Manchester. The Trustwide acute pathway psychology team meets regularly for team meetings, CPD and a facilitated reflective group and has leadership from a dedicated 8c consultant clinical psychologist and clinical lead for the acute pathway.

We are passionate about staff well-being and compassionate leadership. Our staff survey results support this. In the latest national NHS Staff Survey (2024) Pennine Care was ranked as the best mental health and learning disability trust in the North .

We support staff to work flexibly and recognise and respect the roles our colleagues hold outside of working hours. This focus helps us to retain staff and ensure people are happy in their place of work.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the top of our agenda. We know a diverse, inclusive and engaged culture is vital; that everyone's value should be recognised and respected.

There are also opportunities to link with local higher education providers and the research & innovation (R&I) team to engage with related research projects.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For a more detailed overview of the roles job description and main responsibilities, please see the attached job description and personal specification.

Education/ Qualification

• Post-graduate doctoral level training in clinical/counselling/forensic psychology, (or its equivalent for those trained prior to 1996) as accredited by the BPS, or post-graduate training in Forensic Psychology or Counselling Psychology
• Current registration as a Clinical, Forensic or Counselling psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council
• Completion of further post qualification training within psychological therapies (e.g. DBT, CBT, CAT, CFT, MBT etc.)
• Completion of further post qualification training in supervision

Experience

• Demonstrable post-qualification experience of specialist assessment, formulation and treatment of adult clients and those with psychological difficulties
• Demonstrable post-qualification experience of working with complex mental health problems, including distressing psychosis, problems associated with complex relational and emotional needs, and severe depression, anxiety and trauma
• Demonstrable experience of working with people experiencing a suicidal crisis
• Demonstrable experience of working within multidisciplinary teams
• Experience of clinical leadership within a previous role.
• Demonstrable experience of providing clinical supervision to psychologists, psychological practitioners or other core health professions.
• Demonstrable experience of providing teaching/ training upon clinical interventions.
• Demonstrable experience of managing demand for psychological services within a form of stepped-care framework (i.e. an approach based upon the provision of direct care, and supporting other professionals in their provision of direct psychosocial work.
• Experience in clinical leadership
• Experience of working within an inpatient setting.
• Ability to demonstrate further specialist clinical experience and training.
• Experience of audit and service evaluation within psychological therapy services.
• Research experience within an area relevant to work within an adult service.
• Demonstrable experience of the application of psychological therapy in diverse cultural and ethnic contexts.

Knowledge

• Understanding of the national and regional legislation, guidance and policy directives in relation to the development and delivery of psychological therapies within inpatient services.
• Evidence of post-qualification CPD as recommended and/or accredited by the BPS, or other professional body.
• Up to date knowledge of the needs of people with complex mental health problems, and of psychological approaches to recovery
• Awareness of the principles of a trauma informed care approach.
• Familiarity with computing technology, including keyboard skills, and use of word-processing, e‑mail, and internet software.
• Well-developed knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies and approaches for adults with complex mental health problems.
• Publication of training, service evaluation, clinical audit and research material.

Skills and abilities

• Ability to work with service users, carers and families to engage with their needs and provide them with appropriate psychological support and intervention.
• Skills in providing consultation to other professional and non-professional groups.
• Skills in working within an MDT to bring and share a psychological understanding of distress.
• Well developed, effective communication skills, both oral and in writing, enabling complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to be shared with service users, their families, carers and other professional colleagues within the NHS and other agencies.
• Ability to prioritise work, operate a waiting list, meet short deadlines and an unpredictable work pattern that requires regular revision of plans.
• Ability to sit in constrained position for service user assessment, formulation, individual and group therapy sessions and for computer work.
• Ability to work at a high level of professional autonomy and responsibility, in a collaborative multidisciplinary environment and also as a lone worker in circumstances where there may be exposure to verbal and sometimes physical aggression.
• Able to sustain the intense concentration necessary for service user assessment and formulation, individual and group therapy sessions
• Ability to work and communicate highly sensitive, contentious information effectively in a highly emotive or hostile atmosphere, and to overcome barriers to acceptance/psychological resistance to potentially threatening information.
• Ability to identify, provide and promote appropriate means of support to staff and carers exposed to highly distressing situations.
• Ability to identify and employ mechanisms of clinical governance as appropriate, to support and maintain clinical practice in the face of regular exposure to highly emotive material and challenging behaviour
• Ability to teach and train others, using a variety of complex multimedia materials, suitable for presentations within public, professional and academic settings.
• Ability to demonstrate an area of special interest/skill in therapeutic intervention

Application support - We recommend tailoring your application to each role you apply for, particularly your supporting information. This gives you the best chance of success. Your supporting information should clearly explain, with examples, how your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for the role.

We are aware of the increase in AI being used for job applications. AI can be a useful tool to assist in writing your application, but these tools may not understand the context or requirements of the job you are applying for and using for all your application will not be a true reflection of your skills and experience. Relying on AI for your whole application can negatively impact on your chances of success throughout the recruitment process as you will be asked to provide evidence to support what you have written. Take the time to proofread your application to ensure you can evidence what you have submitted, whether this is by your experience or certificates

We also offer virtual application support sessions each month, where you will learn some hints and tips to support you in completing your application form. To secure your place, and to find out more visit the jobs events page on our website.

Sponsorship Information - We are an approved sponsoring organisation. Applications will be considered from applicants requiring sponsorship alongside all other applications. Please be aware, not all roles are eligible for sponsorship.

After You Apply - Once your application is submitted, you’ll receive updates via email. Shortlisting is based on how well you meet the criteria outlined in the person specification. Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and invitations will be sent by email.

If You're Offered the Role - If successful, the hiring manager will contact you directly with a verbal offer. They will then notify the Recruitment Team and submit the necessary paperwork. You’ll receive a formal conditional offer via email

Pre-Employment Checks - To confirm your suitability for the role, we will carry out pre-employment checks in line with NHS Employment Check Standards . These include:

• Identity verification
• Right to work check
• Disclosure and barring service (DBS)/Criminal record check (dependent on role)
• Professional registration and/or qualification check
• Occupational health assessment
• Employment history and reference validation

All applicants external to Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust will be required to provide their HMRC employment history to cover the most recent three years employment. This information will used to validate employment history andreferences.

If you require sponsorship, we will assess your eligibility based on current government guidance. If the role is not eligible and you cannot demonstrate your right to work, your conditional offer may be withdrawn.

Once Checks Are Complete - The Recruitment Team will coordinate with you and the hiring manager to confirm a start date. You’ll be booked onto a Trust Welcome Session and receive your Pennine Care NHS Terms and Conditions.

Pennine Care are committed to the ‘Pledge to Flex’ initiative as flexible working is a day one right for all colleagues. “We can work flexibly, doing whatever work pattern fits our needs, regardless of the type of role we’re in. As a modern and model employer, flexible and less than full-time working isn’t a barrier to progress in the NHS – it is commonplace” This policy brings this part of the People Promise to life. It will provide you with the information you need, support you to have conversations and take steps towards working in a way that suits you best.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), and we strive to ensure our workforce reflects the communities we serve. We actively encourage applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds to help us grow, innovate, and improve.

If you wish to be considered under the Disability Confident Scheme, you will be guaranteed an interview if you meet the essential criteria for the role.

If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact us on 0161 716 3181 as early as possible so we can support you.

Please note: We may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. If you have a disability or long‑term health condition and need extra time or adjustments to complete your application, please contact us as soon as possible. We will ensure you are not disadvantaged where a reasonable adjustment is appropriate.

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.